Drought like scene affects rice cultivation
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Sobhapati Samom

Imphal, July 18 2012: Though the farmer community has been demanding declaration of drought in Manipur, the state authority has decided to provide Urea at subsidized rates besides monitoring the rainfall pattern and its status.

Though there was report of monsoon, which is the lifeline of agriculture, covering the entire country; rains are deficient in Manipur, thus hampering sowing of kharif(summer)crops such as paddy and coarse cereals.

"The government is closely monitoring the rainfall pattern and status in the State and will take further actions as necessary to support the farming community," said an official press release here.

The government decided to make available Urea bags at Rs 278.80 per bag (against usual rate of Rs 478.80) by providing additional transport subsidy, it added.

But government decision has evoked sharp reaction from the drought like situation hit farmers community in the state.

"Where to use those subsidized fertiliser when our rice fields are dry?", a farmer from Naranseina village in Bishnupur district questioned while reacting to the government's decision to reduce Urea price.

More than 400 hectares of high-land rainfed rice fields under Naranseina, Thingungei, Phubala and Ngangkhalawai area under Bishnupur district have been facing drought like situation as monsoon plays hide and seek.

"We've no option to replace paddy cultivation with other suitable crops," O Premkumar, who owns around 2 hectares of paddy field in Bishnupur district, said.

"We've no water sources at all in this area.

Even the lone stream (Erumbi river) which passes through our fields has also dried up", Premkumar added.

N T Singh, another farmer in Imphal East district, observed 'if no rain occurs in the next few days then god only knows what would happen to the crops" .

Demanding immediate announcement of drought in the state, Manipur Loumi Lup (MLL), a farmers' body in the state has been seeking help to make small dams in nearby rivers to supply irrigation facilities besides issuing water pump sets to the needy farmers.

Though the state recorded deficient rainfall of about 300 mm comparing to the previous year, some places in Manipur like Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul reportedly received enough rain.

"Water is everywhere here.

Farmers are praying for the rain to stop.

Landslides and mudslides are the bonus," said a resident of Tamenglong district headquarter, when contacted.

Another resident of Senapati also shared similar sentiments.

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